Note: Standard Disclaimers apply. Thanks for the review F5C! (",)
Chapter Two
"Totally Unexpected"
"Hey, is that Sakuragi?" one of the boys asked.
"Yes Mitsui. It's him all right. Since when did he have a girlfriend? I thought Haruko was his girlfriend?"
To that, both boys received a head punch and death glares from Akagi Takenori. "HE IS NOT MY SISTER'S BOYFRIEND!" he roared to both Mitsui and Ryota. "Now go back to practice both of you!"
The two went to chibi mode and continued to practice with the others. Still, both couldn't believe their eyes of what just happened. It's not everyday that you see a girl hugging Sakuragi, the guy who was dumped by 50 girls already!
Meanwhile, back to Sakuragi and Ayeka ….
"Hanamichi-chan? What are you doing here? I never thought we'll be seeing each other again!" There were tears in Ayeka's eyes as she said that much to the surprise of everyone.
Hanamichi on the other hand was practically crying. To stop him, Yohei kicked his butt which angered the tensai. But Ayeka intervened much to the surprise of everyone again because an enraged Sakuragi is not someone who can be stopped easily. They have known and dreaded his temper during the first semester.
"Ayeka, leave me alone and let me deal with that jerk! Nobody insults a tensai and gets away with it!" Hanamichi said pushing Ayeka who was in the way.
But Ayeka was strong considering she also has to do this when her big brothers (two are bigger than Hanamichi) go into a fight mostly involving her.
"Look Hana-chan, it's okay. No harm was done right? Besides, you still haven't told me how come you're here?"
Hanamichi seemed to calm down. "I think I should be the one asking you that!"
The others looked at them oddly. First, because Hanamichi was having a very good rapport with a girl. Second, the girl with very nice long legs seems to be very delighted to see Hanamichi. Third, the two seems to be oblivious of their surroundings. Fourth and most importantly, Hanamichi seemed to have forgotten about Haruko who was standing next to them only three feet apart. The whole court seemed to have stopped as they watched the two.
"Hehehe, let me introduce you to my team. They consider me the tensai and basketball man!"
At the background, someone could be heard saying, "Do'aho".
"Baka Kitsune! I heard that!" Then the two proceeded to a small fight (chibi mode) with dust coming out.
"Kitsune?" Ayeka asked.
"Sakuragi-kun calls Rukawa-kun kitsune." Haruko explained. They watched as Gori, Haruko's brother dragged the two. "You know Sakuragi-kun?"
Ayeka slightly bowed her head. "Hai! – "
She was about to say something but was cut short by Sakuragi. "Ayeka-chan, come here and let me introduce you properly."
Ayeka was a bit hesitant since all of them were looking at her. She felt a bit embarrassed and she has a strong urge to knock down Hanamichi. Nevertheless, she went to him.
"Everyone, I want you to meet my cousin, Ayeka Shiori!" Hanamichi announced. Gasps were heard. It was the first time they met a relative of Hanamichi. Some of them know that Hanamichi leaves with his old Aunt and that both parents are dead already.
That would explain the deep red hair the girl has and she really was tall. She is short by only a few centimeters to Hanamichi's height. She was introduced one by one to the team. All of them made handshakes except for Rukawa who only nodded.
"It's okay Hanamichi-chan. We've met already. He is my classmate in almost all subjects."
"Nani? No wonder I didn't see you when you get here. Too bad you have the kitsune as your classmate. He is not a tensai like me. Hahahahaha!!!" Another fight was about to ensue but luckily the Captain got in the way.
"Oi Kitsune, I don't want you messing around with my cousin. Even if I'm not in the classroom, I've got roaming eyes and I know your every move. Touch her and I'll kill you!" Obviously, he knows about Ayeka's beauty and how she attracts men like bees. She and her brothers were very close with Hanamichi. In elementary, Hanamichi also acts as her protector.
"I wouldn't date a do'aho like yourself!" Rukawa coolly answered. It angered both Hanamichi and Ayeka.
"Why you – !" they shouted in unison.
"ENOUGH!" Akagi roared. Both were silenced at once. He felt that the cousin of Sakuragi was very similar to the latter. Both are easily provoked which is definitely a bad omen. A male Sakuragi he can control but how do you control his female version?
Ayeka stayed and watched the game. She was totally impressed with Sakuragi's skills. Back then; no matter how they encouraged him to join in basketball or in any other sports, he would easily turn them down. He rather enjoyed being a bully and Ayeka's protector.
She also noticed the other members of the team. Rukawa was definitely good, much to the delight of his fangirls. Now she knows that at least Rukawa has the right to be popular because he really is talented. Except for his grades, she thinks. She was still irritated with what the kitsune said moments ago. She couldn't believe that he thinks of her as a do'aho. Probably because of her cousin but still, it was the first time a boy had practically turned her down in front of everyone! She felt her blood simmering and if her hair was down, it would be blazing red. At one time, when she was angry, one of her friends actually dumped water on her head thinking it was on fire.
Rukawa felt that someone was staring at him hard. He looked around the area. The do'aho was not looking at him so he thought it could be someone else. He can't concentrate much because it was definitely a hate stare. Then he found the source and surprised to find that it was a girl. He was glad that it wasn't a boy so definitely a fight was not about to ensue. He thought the girl might probably hate him because he didn't notice her or probably didn't answer one of the mails he gets in his locker. He had practically forgotten that the girl was Sakuragi's cousin.
Ayeka was nudged by Haruko who whispered, "He's looking at you!"
Ayeka was brought back to reality. She thought Haruko was practically squealing with delight. She pitied her. How she wished Haruko would return her cousin's feelings. If only ….
Haruko looked somewhat bewildered at Ayeka who was staring at her wildly. "I-Is there something wrong Ayeka?"
As usual, Ayeka tried to play matchmaking again. And again, she intends to interfere, no, 'help' others and this time, it would be Haruko and her cousin.
"Oh nothing much Haruko-san," she smiled with an evil glint in her eyes.
Meanwhile, two particular boys were looking at Ayeka as well. It was only natural that boys do that specially to a froshie.
"Hey Micchy, do you like what you see so far?" Ryota snickered.
"Don't you dare call me Micchy, Ryochin!"
"Ryochin?! Why you –" but before they actually punch each other, Ayako let out her fan and whacked the two.
"Ayako-chan, why did you do that?" Ryota asked while massaging his back neck.
"You two behave okay?" With that she left.
"Anyway, do you like Sakuragi's cousin that much?"
"Huh? What?" Mitsui asked. He was looking at her, from head to toe. He just can't shake the feeling that somehow behind that entire charade is a very interesting girl. Or was it because she was new? She looks very boyish especially with the cap and the way she handles Sakuragi like a guy. But he also loves girls who were independent and knows how to handle a guy. He continued daydreaming in which he didn't notice the ball going his way. "Itai!"
That caught Ayeka's attention. She giggled a little looking at how he came to a chibi mode and tried to attack Sakuragi who was responsible for the ball. Hmm, he does look cute, she said to herself. She remembered the guy's name as Mitsui Hisashi. Just then, he looked up and caught her eye. Unexpectedly, he winked at her much to Ayeka's utter surprise. Could it be that he can see right through my façade?, she asked herself.
But it could be just her imagination for he quickly went back to practice. Haruko didn't noticed either or maybe she was too busy watching Rukawa. Sweat drop.
Chapter Two
"Totally Unexpected"
"Hey, is that Sakuragi?" one of the boys asked.
"Yes Mitsui. It's him all right. Since when did he have a girlfriend? I thought Haruko was his girlfriend?"
To that, both boys received a head punch and death glares from Akagi Takenori. "HE IS NOT MY SISTER'S BOYFRIEND!" he roared to both Mitsui and Ryota. "Now go back to practice both of you!"
The two went to chibi mode and continued to practice with the others. Still, both couldn't believe their eyes of what just happened. It's not everyday that you see a girl hugging Sakuragi, the guy who was dumped by 50 girls already!
Meanwhile, back to Sakuragi and Ayeka ….
"Hanamichi-chan? What are you doing here? I never thought we'll be seeing each other again!" There were tears in Ayeka's eyes as she said that much to the surprise of everyone.
Hanamichi on the other hand was practically crying. To stop him, Yohei kicked his butt which angered the tensai. But Ayeka intervened much to the surprise of everyone again because an enraged Sakuragi is not someone who can be stopped easily. They have known and dreaded his temper during the first semester.
"Ayeka, leave me alone and let me deal with that jerk! Nobody insults a tensai and gets away with it!" Hanamichi said pushing Ayeka who was in the way.
But Ayeka was strong considering she also has to do this when her big brothers (two are bigger than Hanamichi) go into a fight mostly involving her.
"Look Hana-chan, it's okay. No harm was done right? Besides, you still haven't told me how come you're here?"
Hanamichi seemed to calm down. "I think I should be the one asking you that!"
The others looked at them oddly. First, because Hanamichi was having a very good rapport with a girl. Second, the girl with very nice long legs seems to be very delighted to see Hanamichi. Third, the two seems to be oblivious of their surroundings. Fourth and most importantly, Hanamichi seemed to have forgotten about Haruko who was standing next to them only three feet apart. The whole court seemed to have stopped as they watched the two.
"Hehehe, let me introduce you to my team. They consider me the tensai and basketball man!"
At the background, someone could be heard saying, "Do'aho".
"Baka Kitsune! I heard that!" Then the two proceeded to a small fight (chibi mode) with dust coming out.
"Kitsune?" Ayeka asked.
"Sakuragi-kun calls Rukawa-kun kitsune." Haruko explained. They watched as Gori, Haruko's brother dragged the two. "You know Sakuragi-kun?"
Ayeka slightly bowed her head. "Hai! – "
She was about to say something but was cut short by Sakuragi. "Ayeka-chan, come here and let me introduce you properly."
Ayeka was a bit hesitant since all of them were looking at her. She felt a bit embarrassed and she has a strong urge to knock down Hanamichi. Nevertheless, she went to him.
"Everyone, I want you to meet my cousin, Ayeka Shiori!" Hanamichi announced. Gasps were heard. It was the first time they met a relative of Hanamichi. Some of them know that Hanamichi leaves with his old Aunt and that both parents are dead already.
That would explain the deep red hair the girl has and she really was tall. She is short by only a few centimeters to Hanamichi's height. She was introduced one by one to the team. All of them made handshakes except for Rukawa who only nodded.
"It's okay Hanamichi-chan. We've met already. He is my classmate in almost all subjects."
"Nani? No wonder I didn't see you when you get here. Too bad you have the kitsune as your classmate. He is not a tensai like me. Hahahahaha!!!" Another fight was about to ensue but luckily the Captain got in the way.
"Oi Kitsune, I don't want you messing around with my cousin. Even if I'm not in the classroom, I've got roaming eyes and I know your every move. Touch her and I'll kill you!" Obviously, he knows about Ayeka's beauty and how she attracts men like bees. She and her brothers were very close with Hanamichi. In elementary, Hanamichi also acts as her protector.
"I wouldn't date a do'aho like yourself!" Rukawa coolly answered. It angered both Hanamichi and Ayeka.
"Why you – !" they shouted in unison.
"ENOUGH!" Akagi roared. Both were silenced at once. He felt that the cousin of Sakuragi was very similar to the latter. Both are easily provoked which is definitely a bad omen. A male Sakuragi he can control but how do you control his female version?
Ayeka stayed and watched the game. She was totally impressed with Sakuragi's skills. Back then; no matter how they encouraged him to join in basketball or in any other sports, he would easily turn them down. He rather enjoyed being a bully and Ayeka's protector.
She also noticed the other members of the team. Rukawa was definitely good, much to the delight of his fangirls. Now she knows that at least Rukawa has the right to be popular because he really is talented. Except for his grades, she thinks. She was still irritated with what the kitsune said moments ago. She couldn't believe that he thinks of her as a do'aho. Probably because of her cousin but still, it was the first time a boy had practically turned her down in front of everyone! She felt her blood simmering and if her hair was down, it would be blazing red. At one time, when she was angry, one of her friends actually dumped water on her head thinking it was on fire.
Rukawa felt that someone was staring at him hard. He looked around the area. The do'aho was not looking at him so he thought it could be someone else. He can't concentrate much because it was definitely a hate stare. Then he found the source and surprised to find that it was a girl. He was glad that it wasn't a boy so definitely a fight was not about to ensue. He thought the girl might probably hate him because he didn't notice her or probably didn't answer one of the mails he gets in his locker. He had practically forgotten that the girl was Sakuragi's cousin.
Ayeka was nudged by Haruko who whispered, "He's looking at you!"
Ayeka was brought back to reality. She thought Haruko was practically squealing with delight. She pitied her. How she wished Haruko would return her cousin's feelings. If only ….
Haruko looked somewhat bewildered at Ayeka who was staring at her wildly. "I-Is there something wrong Ayeka?"
As usual, Ayeka tried to play matchmaking again. And again, she intends to interfere, no, 'help' others and this time, it would be Haruko and her cousin.
"Oh nothing much Haruko-san," she smiled with an evil glint in her eyes.
Meanwhile, two particular boys were looking at Ayeka as well. It was only natural that boys do that specially to a froshie.
"Hey Micchy, do you like what you see so far?" Ryota snickered.
"Don't you dare call me Micchy, Ryochin!"
"Ryochin?! Why you –" but before they actually punch each other, Ayako let out her fan and whacked the two.
"Ayako-chan, why did you do that?" Ryota asked while massaging his back neck.
"You two behave okay?" With that she left.
"Anyway, do you like Sakuragi's cousin that much?"
"Huh? What?" Mitsui asked. He was looking at her, from head to toe. He just can't shake the feeling that somehow behind that entire charade is a very interesting girl. Or was it because she was new? She looks very boyish especially with the cap and the way she handles Sakuragi like a guy. But he also loves girls who were independent and knows how to handle a guy. He continued daydreaming in which he didn't notice the ball going his way. "Itai!"
That caught Ayeka's attention. She giggled a little looking at how he came to a chibi mode and tried to attack Sakuragi who was responsible for the ball. Hmm, he does look cute, she said to herself. She remembered the guy's name as Mitsui Hisashi. Just then, he looked up and caught her eye. Unexpectedly, he winked at her much to Ayeka's utter surprise. Could it be that he can see right through my façade?, she asked herself.
But it could be just her imagination for he quickly went back to practice. Haruko didn't noticed either or maybe she was too busy watching Rukawa. Sweat drop.
